The development and integrated simulation of a variable water flow energy saving strategy for deep-mine cooling systems

Increasing the energy efficiency of deep level mine cooling systems is an important method to improve the sustainability of the mining industry. Cooling systems consume up to 25% of the total electricity used on deep mines. These systems are integrated with the water reticulation system to provide chilled service water to the mine and provide cool ventilation air. A new energy efficiency strategy, based on variable water flow, was developed for the unique demands of an integrated mine cooling system. The strategy is based on procedures such as matching the evaporator thermal requirements to the demand for chilled water, adapting the condensers to the heat load, and matching the bulk air cooler with the demand of ventilation air requirements. A suitable simulation model of integrated mine cooling systems was developed, verified and used to predict the potential results of implementing the new strategy on actual mine systems. In this paper, an overview of the developed strategy and simulation model is presented. The verified simulations show that a decrease of 33% in overall electrical energy consumption is possible by implementing the proposed energy saving intervention. The potential is also shown for application and expansion to large systems outside the mining industry.